Civil Air Patrol disaster test a success

Nonprofit reacted to simulated hurricane emergency

A cadet directs a plane at Tuscaloosa Regional Airport on Saturday during the Air Force’s evaluation of the Alabama Civil Air Patrol Wing.

Photo by Erin Nelson

By Ashley ChaffinStaff Writer | The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Sunday, August 25, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, August 24, 2013 at 7:36 p.m.

The Alabama Wing of the Civil Air Patrol earned a grade of “successful” from the United States Air Force as it simulated an emergency response on Saturday.

“Each wing will have one of the scenarios every two years, and they are based on the natural threats that are surrounding that particular wing,” said Col. Barry Melton, southeast region vice commander.

Two years ago, they were evaluated on a simulation of a large tornado outbreak. This year, they were evaluated on a hurricane emergency situation.

“This is a simulated mission,” said Lt. Col. Patricia Mitcham, Alabama Wing public information officer and public affairs officer. “It is designed to show that we can do the job that we trained to do in case we are asked to do it for real.”

The Civil Air Patrol, which was founded in 1941, is a congressionally chartered nonprofit corporation that performs services for the federal government as the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, according to their fact sheet.

Mike Carr, public information officer for the Tuscaloosa squadron, said the Civil Air Patrol has three missions: emergency services, cadet programs and aerospace education.

For Saturday’s scenario, eight aircraft were used as the Air Force tested the Alabama Wing.

“Some people may mistake this for a training exercise,” Melton said. “This is one time every two years that this is truly an evaluation. There may be some inherent training that happens, but our main purpose of being here today is to show the Air Force that Alabama Wing knows what they are doing.”

The scenario they worked through saw a hurricane hit the coast, sweep through Tuscaloosa and the Huntsville area, and eventually into Tennessee. They were also told there were two overdue aircraft.

During an emergency response, the Alabama Wing is responsible for damage assessment, search and rescue, and ground teams that go out to offer assistance to people on the ground.

All three were tested on Saturday.

“It basically certifies the readiness of Alabama Wing to be able to respond, because when we are on an Air Force mission, we are truly part of the Air Force,” Melton said. “They have to be able to depend on our services and the training and readiness of not only our aircraft and vehicles but our people.”

Col. Brad Lynn, Alabama Wing commander, said the Civil Air Patrol provides the Air Force about 90 percent of search and rescue.

“In the past, they did a lot of just the missing aircraft, the overdue aircraft. Now, we’re just concentrated on the total package of the emergency services,” he said.

<p>The Alabama Wing of the Civil Air Patrol earned a grade of “successful” from the United States Air Force as it simulated an emergency response on Saturday.</p><p>“Each wing will have one of the scenarios every two years, and they are based on the natural threats that are surrounding that particular wing,” said Col. Barry Melton, southeast region vice commander.</p><p>Two years ago, they were evaluated on a simulation of a large tornado outbreak. This year, they were evaluated on a hurricane emergency situation. </p><p>“This is a simulated mission,” said Lt. Col. Patricia Mitcham, Alabama Wing public information officer and public affairs officer. “It is designed to show that we can do the job that we trained to do in case we are asked to do it for real.”</p><p>The Civil Air Patrol, which was founded in 1941, is a congressionally chartered nonprofit corporation that performs services for the federal government as the civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, according to their fact sheet. </p><p>Mike Carr, public information officer for the Tuscaloosa squadron, said the Civil Air Patrol has three missions: emergency services, cadet programs and aerospace education. </p><p>In 2012, the Alabama Wing had 581 adult members, 319 cadets, 13 single-engine aircraft and 23 vehicles.</p><p>For Saturday's scenario, eight aircraft were used as the Air Force tested the Alabama Wing. </p><p>“Some people may mistake this for a training exercise,” Melton said. “This is one time every two years that this is truly an evaluation. There may be some inherent training that happens, but our main purpose of being here today is to show the Air Force that Alabama Wing knows what they are doing.”</p><p>The scenario they worked through saw a hurricane hit the coast, sweep through Tuscaloosa and the Huntsville area, and eventually into Tennessee. They were also told there were two overdue aircraft. </p><p>During an emergency response, the Alabama Wing is responsible for damage assessment, search and rescue, and ground teams that go out to offer assistance to people on the ground. </p><p>All three were tested on Saturday. </p><p>“It basically certifies the readiness of Alabama Wing to be able to respond, because when we are on an Air Force mission, we are truly part of the Air Force,” Melton said. “They have to be able to depend on our services and the training and readiness of not only our aircraft and vehicles but our people.” </p><p>Col. Brad Lynn, Alabama Wing commander, said the Civil Air Patrol provides the Air Force about 90 percent of search and rescue. </p><p>“In the past, they did a lot of just the missing aircraft, the overdue aircraft. Now, we're just concentrated on the total package of the emergency services,” he said. </p><p>Reach Ashley Chaffin at ashley.chaffin@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0230.</p>